Macedonians invented the first submarine?!

It is a little known fact that the ancient Macedonians were pioneers in protected underwater diving, i.e. they were the first people (for which there are records) that made some kind of a submarine. The first protected underwater diving attempts were performed using a large glass bell which used a rope to be lowered to the seabed. Inside the bell was the diver, who enjoyed the sight under water through the walls of the bell. The bell had a continuous flow of air. Certainly in this way the submarine could not reach great depths, but at the time of antiquities, it is still considered as an interesting discovery.

More researchers on the history of protected underwater diving mention Macedonians as pioneers of such diving. Thus, for example, the famous oceanographer and underwater diving expert Dr. Stephen Wood in his paper "Milestones in the history of the exploration of the oceans" clearly stated that the Macedonians were the ones who first began with a protected underwater diving. He mentions an Indian medieval illustration showing scuba diving with great glass bell, that Indians have inherited from the Macedonians. In this connection, Dr. Wood writes:

"One of the earliest reports on the use of devices which enabled the diver to enter under water with a certain degree of protection and supply of air entering in the diving bell, is one that Kolimfa has used around 330 BC according to the previous diving under water of Alexander the Great. This bell is painted by an Indian miniature painter in 1575. Testimony of such a bell appears in the 13th century in a French manuscript titled 'The True History of Alexander'."

Some insufficiently informed researchers believe that the protected underwater diving by the Macedonians is only a romantic legend, created in the Middle Ages. Namely, it is known that during the Middle Ages, were created a number of stories and legends about Alexander. Likely that these stories and legends were based on the content of older records or oral legends of antiquities, which over time, in the Middle Ages were redesigned and amended with various fantastic tales associated with his life, especially his trips. Thus, romantic legends and stories were created with fantastic motifs (Alexander encounters with various monsters, finding a water source with vitalising effect, trips to nonexistent and strange countries, etc.).. In this context, some believe that the protected underwater diving practiced by the Macedonians is only a fabrication of medieval authors.

However, such claims are arguably denied by scientist Dr. Wood, who offers ancient (not just medieval) testimonies of protected underwater diving by the Macedonians. In fact, he writes that even Aristotle mentions this diving. In connection with all this, in addition to his paper, Dr. Wood writes:

"In his work 'Probleranta', Aristotle describes the system for underwater diving of his time, and says: 'They invent device through which divers could breathe. It was a dish that descended down and of course it was not filled with water, but with air, which constantly supplied dived people."

Aristotle was born in the city of Stagira in Macedonia and he (at least by his father) is considered to be Macedonian. He was the main teacher of Alexander the Great. Thus, the testimony of Aristotle's protected underwater diving (given in the 4th century BC) refutes the opinions that it was a romantic fabrication of medieval authors.

Today almost all stakeholders in the area and beyond accept that the Macedonians were pioneers in protected underwater diving. Thus, for example, in the contemporary known general computer Encarta Encyclopedia (quote work title: Diving, underwater), as official stance is mentioned the fact that it was the Macedonians who were the first pioneers in the field of protected underwater diving. In this connection, we can read:

"Underwater diving is entering and staying under the surface because of work or study. Diving without mechanical assistance was practiced even in antiquities for collecting pearls and sponges. Different ways to supply the diver with air in order to allow him a longer stay under water were tested as early as the 4th century BC. It is believed that Alexander the Great carried out underwater diving machine that was probably a primitive form of diving bell, and Aristotle mentions the diver techniques that allowed him to breathe underwater."

Protected underwater diving by Macedonians is illustrated in a 15th century illustration. In particular it is an illustration from a French manuscript published in Rouen in 1445. The manuscript is known under the title "Old French prose - romance of Alexander." It is illustrated with a miniature featuring Alexander diving under water in a glass container, tied with ropes to a ship in which there are two persons siting. It is interesting in the illustration Alexander and his friends are dressed in what was then a French outfit. In fact, this practice (characters from older history to represent improper clothing, i.e. clothing from the time of the creation of the image) is well known in the history of art.

To conclusion is that there is a strong evidence that the Macedonians were those who remain recorded in history as pioneers in protected underwater diving and this is accepted as the official attitude of the authorities concerned in the area.

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